Nicotine promotes cell proliferation via alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes-mediated pathway in human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells.

Helen Pui Shan Wong, Le Yu, Emily Kai Yee Lam, Emily Kin Ki Tai, William Ka Kei Wu, Chi Hin Cho

Department of Pharmacology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Toxicology and applied pharmacology 2007 Jun 15

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Cigarette smoking has been implicated in colon cancer. Nicotine is a major alkaloid in cigarette smoke. In the present study, we showed that nicotine stimulated HT-29 cell proliferation and adrenaline production in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory action of nicotine was reversed by atenolol and ICI 118,551, a beta(1)- and beta(2)-selective antagonist, respectively, suggesting the role of beta-adrenoceptors in mediating the action. Nicotine also significantly upregulated the expression of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes [tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase]. Inhibitor of TH, a rate-limiting enzyme in the catecholamine-biosynthesis pathway, reduced the actions of nicotine on cell proliferation and adrenaline production. Expression of alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-nAChR) was demonstrated in HT-29 cells. Methyllycaconitine, an alpha7-nAChR antagonist, reversed the stimulatory actions of nicotine on cell proliferation, TH and DbetaH expression as well as adrenaline production. Taken together, through the action on alpha7-nAChR nicotine stimulates HT-29 cell proliferation via the upregulation of the catecholamine-synthesis pathway and ultimately adrenaline production and beta-adrenergic activation. These data reveal the contributory role alpha7-nAChR and beta-adrenoceptors in the tumorigenesis of colon cancer cells and partly elucidate the carcinogenic action of cigarette smoke on colon cancer.

Citation

Helen Pui Shan Wong, Le Yu, Emily Kai Yee Lam, Emily Kin Ki Tai, William Ka Kei Wu, Chi Hin Cho. Nicotine promotes cell proliferation via alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes-mediated pathway in human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. Toxicology and applied pharmacology. 2007 Jun 15;221(3):261-7